Maryland delegation calls on Speaker

Accra, June 18, GNA - The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey on Friday, received a 10-member delegation from the State of Maryland in the United States of America, with a call on the American Government to explore possibilities of training and exchange programs between Ghana's Parliament and the US Congress.

He noted that the Akosombo Hydro Electric Dam and other major facilities in the country were monuments of the long-standing bi-lateral relationship between Ghana and the US, saying that since Ghana's independence, the US government had supported the socio-economic development efforts of Ghana.

"We hope that your visit would provide the basis for more joint ventures and also serve as an opportunity for you to explore ways of training and exchange programs between our two legislatures," he said. Mr Ala Adjetey said in this era of globalisation, nation states were getting more closely linked by trade and commerce than ever before, adding that such links had proved to be the only way forward in the development aspirations of nations.

Lt. Governor Michael Steele of the State of Maryland, Leader of the Delegation, said the positives signs of efforts being made toward democratisation in Ghana informed the visit, adding, "we are here to explore ways of enhancing economic and political cooperation between Ghana and the State of Maryland".

He said the delegation was made up of persons from the education, Communication, Aerospace and Governance and others sectors of the Maryland State, who were to forge stronger ties that would launch the new frontiers of relationship between Ghana and the US.

Madam Mary Cathy Yates, US Ambassador to Ghana accompanied them. Present at the meeting between the Speaker and the delegation were, Mr Felix Owusu-Adjapong, the Majority Leader; Mr Alban Bagbin, the Minority Leader; the two Deputy Speakers of Ghana Parliament, The Clerk of Parliament and some Members of Parliament.